REYKJAVIK, ICELAND -- "Skyactiv" finally makes sense. This October, an updated, 40-mpg (highway) Mazda3 with the brand's new gas direct-injection, 2.0-liter four, and six-speed manual or automatic gets the Skyactiv badge thanks to all those goodies. Afterwards, only Mazda's all-new models will wear the badge, which will be used in a manner similar to Mercedes-Benz's Bluetec and Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. It's a green-branding ploy.

Â Unlike either of those two automakers, Mazda is too small to get into hybrids or any type of advanced electric/battery powertrains. The strategy is to concentrate on what most experts say will continue to be the mainstream technology: highly evolved internal...

Chuck Taylors are far from the best choice for hiking shoes. Especially a worn-out pair with more miles on them than many cars built in the previous decade. This thought is stuck to the top of my skull like a passenger inside an elevator in freefall as I am quickly transferred from a state of vertical to horizontal. I'm in the Austrian woods to drive the revamped 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, but more important, I'm accelerating towards wet, spongy ground that is too much for me and my Chucks. I shouldn't have gotten out of the SUV, because it doesn't seem to be having any problems.

Â The Wild Cherry Red Tiguan looks like a waxed metallic forest fire set amongst the mossy trees in what will be an...